Tech & Hardware 3 Days

Last updated: June 27, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Gaming Hardware & Peripherals

Scalpers are listing reservations for Valve's Steam Machine at prices exceeding $1,700, significantly higher than the device's original intended market position Scalpers list Steam Machine reservations. Valve itself has expressed a lack of optimism regarding a near-term price reduction for the gaming console-PC hybrid, which has already seen its 4K 60 FPS performance claims quietly walked back by the company Valve not optimistic about Steam Machine price. Despite the premium pricing and revised performance expectations, the Steam Machine has reportedly sold out in Japan, mirroring the initial success of the Steam Deck in that region Steam Machine sells out in Japan. Meanwhile, French PC builder LDLC is targeting Steam Machine pricing with its "PC Box," which promises RDNA 4 performance LDLC PC Box targets Steam Machine pricing.

The mechanical keyboard market continues to see new releases. Qwerty Keys, the budget brand of Owlab, has debuted the QK100 Mk2 wireless mechanical keyboard, featuring functional retro design elements QwertyKeys debuts QK100 Mk2. Yunzii has launched the C98 MAO Cake Kitten Wireless Mechanical Keyboard, offering an adorable cat-inspired design with uniquely shaped MAO keycaps and transparent cat-ear accessories Yunzii launches C98 MAO Cake Kitten Keyboard. Ergohaven has introduced the K:04, a split ergonomic mechanical keyboard with a modular design allowing for expanded functionality Ergohaven debuts K:04 keyboard.

Razer is expanding its gaming peripheral offerings with the Razer Kitsune - Ryu Edition leverless fight stick, a limited-edition tribute to the iconic Street Fighter character Razer introduces Kitsune Ryu Edition stick. The company also unveiled the Razer Soma Chroma, a wireless RGB gaming chair that integrates reactive Razer Chroma RGB lighting with ergonomic design for extended gaming sessions Razer introduces Soma Chroma chair.

Component & Storage News

Micron Technology has reported record results for its third quarter of fiscal 2026, with revenue reaching $41.46 billion, a significant increase from the $23.86 billion reported in the same period last year Micron reports record Q3 results. Despite these strong earnings, the company, along with Lenovo, has indicated that ongoing memory price hikes are likely to become a new norm for the consumer PC market Memory price hikes to become norm. Micron itself previously predicted a DRAM crisis that could extend until at least 2028, impacting product launches Micron predicts DRAM crisis until 2028. Apple has already begun to increase prices on some of its Mac models, citing rising NAND flash and DRAM costs as the primary driver for the temporary halt and subsequent repricing of its online store Apple increases prices amid rising costs.

In storage solutions, Framework has switched its Laptop 13 Pro to ADATA XPG MARS 970 SSDs for its Gen 5 SSD option and has issued a warning about upcoming CPU price increases Framework switches to ADATA SSDs. Swissbit has launched its A2000 PCIe SSD series, designed for high-performance applications requiring consistent throughput and low latency Swissbit launches A2000 PCIe SSDs. Transcend has announced its new generation of industrial SSD and memory card solutions powered by advanced 218-layer 3D NAND, targeting AI computing and edge applications Transcend launches 218-layer NAND. OWC has introduced its Atlas Core line, featuring a 256GB CFExpress 4.0 Type B memory card for creative professionals OWC launches Atlas Core line.

Intel's upcoming "Nova Lake" CPU microarchitecture is shaping up to be power-intensive, with leaks suggesting a top-end, overclocked SKU could draw 474W in PL2 mode Intel Nova Lake-S to draw 474W. On the GPU front, AMD has released Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2 WHQL drivers, though issues have been reported on Windows, with a hotfix available AMD Adrenalin drivers face issues. Intel Arc Pro B65 GPUs are now available in the US for $910 Intel Arc Pro B65 available.

AI & Semiconductor Advancements

The race for AI-optimized silicon is intensifying. OpenAI, in collaboration with Broadcom, has unveiled Jalapeno, an in-house LLM inference accelerator chip designed for large-scale AI model deployment OpenAI unveils Jalapeno LLM chip. This follows a previous announcement of a partnership between OpenAI and Broadcom on a chip specifically for LLM inference at scale OpenAI and Broadcom announce LLM chip. Qualcomm has announced its High Bandwidth Compute (HBC) product, a hybrid memory-compute solution aiming to replace traditional High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and achieve 133 TB/s bandwidth by stacking LPDDR memory Qualcomm HBC achieves 133 TB/s bandwidth. Qualcomm has also revealed its data center roadmap with the new Dragonfly portfolio, including the Dragonfly C1000 CPU and HBC Qualcomm unveils Data Center roadmap. The company has further cemented its position in the data center market through a multi-generation agreement with Meta for data center CPUs Qualcomm and Meta announce data center agreement.

IBM has announced a significant semiconductor breakthrough, unveiling the world's first sub-1 nanometer chip technology featuring a novel transistor architecture IBM debuts sub-1nm chip technology. This development could lead to substantial improvements in chip performance and energy efficiency.

Software & Services

Microsoft is extending its support for Windows, offering Extended Security Updates (ESUs) until October 2027, a move that will benefit the approximately quarter of PCs still running the older operating system Microsoft extends Windows 10 updates. In a move impacting content consumption, California has enacted a law making obnoxiously loud ads on streaming services illegal starting July 1, with Illinois having a similar measure in place California makes loud streaming ads illegal. Netflix has begun requiring every user profile to be tied to a unique email address, a change that started on June 15 and disallows the sharing of login information Netflix requires unique email per profile.

Notion is discontinuing its Skiff-influenced email app, shifting focus to AI agents for inbox management Notion killing email app for AI agents. Google has finally released its Finance app for Android, with an iOS version promised for later in 2026, and it is expected to integrate AI features Google releases Finance Android app. In Russia, citizens have been advised to switch to Android devices following Apple's decision to block key Russian applications Russian citizens told to switch to Android.

The New York Times has revised its stance on copyright infringement claims against Microsoft and OpenAI, particularly after a Supreme Court ruling impacted similar cases involving Sony NYT slams Microsoft for OpenAI supercomputer.

Automotive & Electric Vehicles

A new luxury electric buggy, the Amble One, has been developed by alumni from Apple and Audi, designed for resorts and priced at $25,000 Apple and Audi alumni create luxury EV. Volkswagen is reportedly considering closing four factories as part of a restructuring effort to adapt to declining sales, particularly in China VW may close factories. Polestar has been denied authorization by the U.S. to sell its vehicles starting with the 2027 model year, a decision that differs from the authorization granted to Volvo Feds deny Polestar US sales authorization. Tesla faces accusations that its Autopilot system caused a fatal crash, though the company attributes the incident to driver error Elon Musk denies Tesla Autopilot caused crash. Slate Auto has launched its truck builder for its $25,000 electric pickup, offering various configurations from bare-bones to fully loaded Slate Auto truck builder goes live.

Military & Drones

South Korea plans to train its entire military as "drone warriors," viewing drones as a universal combat tool for its half-million-strong armed forces South Korea plans drone warrior training.

Gaming Industry

Rockstar Games has announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will begin on June 25, 2026 Rockstar Games announces GTA VI pre-orders. Despite the anticipation, GTA VI has reportedly been banned in several countries, a common occurrence for the series GTA VI banned in several countries. The upcoming title is also expected to carry a higher price point than other AAA games currently on the market GTA VI to cost more than other AAA games. Retailers are predicting a console shortage around the launch of GTA VI, which is expected to significantly impact the gaming industry Retailers predict console shortage for GTA VI.

Airship Syndicate, the studio behind "Wayfinder," has announced its next project, a sci-fi game titled "DUST: Origins," which will be launched via Kickstarter Airship Syndicate announces DUST: Origins. "Enshrouded," the open-world survival game, has launched its 1.0 version and announced a PlayStation 5 release date, more than two years after its Early Access debut Enshrouded gets 1.0 and PS5 release date. "Wildgate," a sci-fi PvPvE shooter, has received its final major update less than a year after its Steam launch Wildgate gets final major update. "Memories in Orbit," a game studio, has closed down following a lackluster launch of its title in January 2026 Memories in Orbit studio closes.

Sony has confirmed significant layoffs at Bungie shortly after news emerged that the studio would likely be conducting mass layoffs of Destiny 2 staff following the end of the game's active development Sony confirms Bungie layoffs. Former Xbox staff have also voiced concerns over retaliatory layoffs, with reports of significant staff reductions planned for July as Microsoft reconsiders its strategy Former Xbox staff cry foul over layoffs.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has been vocal about industry trends, calling Steam's AI disclosure policies "irresponsible" Epic Games CEO calls Steam AI disclosure irresponsible. Sweeney also appears to be betting on interconnected game economies, a sentiment consistent with Fortnite's recent collaborations Epic Games CEO bets on interconnected economies.

Other Tech & Science

Apple is reportedly skipping its M6 Pro and M6 Max processors, moving directly to the M7 series, indicating a significant internal shift in its silicon development strategy Apple to skip M6 Pro and M6 Max. AMD's Fidelity FX Super Resolution (FSR) 4.1 drivers have shown considerable performance gains on RDNA 3 GPUs, though performance on RDNA 3 is reportedly slower with FSR